What exactly is user-generated content? + Examples |
How did Meta create a platform that generates $44 per user? How does LinkedIn achieve $8 billion in revenue by charging everyone from recruiters to premium members to employers?
Take a look at the billion-dollar social media companies and you'll find that their valuations are directly dependent on their customers. User-generated content is the secret behind these giants. However, it's also responsible for that powers forums online, brand communities, Discord servers, Medium, and even the comments area of a blog, if you can still find such something called. As a community platform, we're in a front-row seat to the ways in which UGC creates vibrant communities, many that turn into six or 7-figure businesses. even 8-figure companies as well.
In this article We'll be discussing:
- What content created by users can be.
- Why it's so useful (with pros and pros and).
- Examples of UGC.
- How do you unlock UGC for your brand or your business.
What is user-generated content (UGC)?
User-generated content is any content made by the users of the platform, not its creators, whether the content is video, text, photos, or something different. Many social media platforms are based on content created by users, however as do other internet platforms like online forums, and online communities. Most of these sites operate with a model of business that is where the platform hosts an application and users create the content.
Even if you're not the major social media player You can still make use of UGC to benefit yourself. In particular, the majority users are thriving due to user-generated content because people gather to build a community, master something that interests them, and have some great conversations.
What is HTML0? UGC helps companies
Do you remember the app Clubhouse? The app was pitched as an exclusive software for listening to music that was worth an astounding $4 billion by 2021. It was not open to the public (you had to be invited) as well as featured regular appearances by big stars such as Oprah Winfrey, Elon Musk and Kevin Hart, and it was a huge success.
As the ban on pandemics ended, Clubhouse had a tough time retaining those users-recently laying off employees. And Clubhouse's active users have fallen for a couple of years now-about 10 million each week. By comparison, Pinterest has 482 million users/month.
The Threads platform is an intriguing case. The platform reached 100 million users in 4 days! However, in the next 220 days, it just reached 60 million. It seems the growth has been largely stagnant, though Meta doesn't make it accessible to the public.
Source: Statista
160 million people using Threads is nothing to be snoozing at. But its rival X (Twitter) is home to more than 600 million monthly users.
The viability or otherwise of these platforms, the billion dollar valuations, depend on two things: 1. Will people attend? 2. Do they create material? Nothing else really matters.
It is the case also in the membership community. We found that we can accurately predict 93% whether an online community will succeed or fail. Two factors are important: 1. Do people sign up? 2. Do they make a friend? This data is so potent that we've begun developing a software system that can do more than just provide hosting for UGC as it also is focused on helping users connect to each other.
The foundation for all it is the social aspect of the social network. The theory of social networks suggests that social networks are the basis of human community. What makes Facebook among the largest platforms with over 3 billion users? Maybe it's because Facebook is actually built on in-person, social networks. It's possible to be angry with someone you don't know on Twitter and delete the platform. If Facebook is the place you talk to your mom and grandma and sell stuff out of your garage, it's likely that you'll keep the platform around.
In order for UGC to be able to build an enterprise, it shouldn't simply be a matter of throwing material into the air. The endless creation of AI social media posts ain't going to build your business.
This is why, for communities and social networks and blog comments and reddit-the real value of these platforms is the engagement.
UGC is engagement. Writers. Readers of the content. If you don't possess UGC, you don't have engagement.
Content created by users has advantages and disadvantages
User-generated content offers a variety of benefits for people who own or host platforms.
Involvement: Engaging users can scale content creation much more quickly and far beyond what could be done by an individual site or company. The social media giants make very little or no content. For instance, YouTube estimates that around 500 hours of content is being uploaded every minute! The company cannot do the same amount of content, despite AI.
User-directed conversations The internet is full of weird and wonderful things people choose to discuss online. UGC lets users create content and conversations they care about.
Diversity of viewpoints: UGC gives people voices-especially those who may not normally be heard in media. Everyone can participate. Everyone has the ability to share their thoughts.
The network effect The network effect is the term used to describe how platforms and communities become more valuable each time a new member they get.
Enhancing customer experience: For a company or brand, user-generated content can be used to improve customer experience and even customer service; for example, Apple's customer community includes users who respond to Q&As on their own time.
However, there could be disadvantages to user-generated content too:
- Misinformation and lies: Since there are no gatekeepers, UGC implies that anyone is able to make everything. With 55% of Americans say that the spread of misinformation is an issue that needs to be dealt with, UGC can be a component of the problem.
- Bullying and intimidation: UGC from content creators as well as people responding (e.g. through comments) can mean intimidation and the use of bullying or is targeted at a particular category or individual.
- Moderation: Moderation for hosts of community websites as well as social media firms Moderation is now an essential component of hosting UGC.
However, don't be discouraged by this from permitting user-generated content. The negative impact of this can be mitigated through good community moderation and guidelines. Giving users a way to aid in moderation will go an extremely long way (e.g. an "report the comment" button). ).
If your customers put their hours and efforts into a space, most of them are likely to want the experience to be enjoyable. They're usually happy to assist with moderation.
The benefits of content created by users
- Scale content creation fast
- Let in many voices and points view
- Expand organic reach and conversation
- UGC can bring new customers to your site (e.g. if it gets used in a shared way) and can help you grow your user base.
Cons of user-generated content
- Greater risk of false or misinformation
- Intimidation and bullying
- Need for moderation
Content created by the user
It's a Mighty Network
A Mighty Network is a community platform that gives Hosts an opportunity to unite communities and transform lives. Members can take part in live discussions, classes, events streaming live, and much more. Thriving communities always have great members' engagement. (See some examples of here ).
It was founded in 2010 and the app was created in 2010 with the view to let users share pictures with filters. It quickly grew, and today has expanded to offer more options like Reels and boasts more than 2 billion users.
YouTube
In the previous paragraph, we mentioned that there are 30,000 hours of content added to YouTube each hour. This would mean it takes you more than 1900 years just to watch the latest uploaded videos. YouTube is a monster when it comes to UGC-and the fact that 30 percent of youngsters calling YouTuber their "dream job" YouTube has made a mark on our cultural imagination. Whether they can monetize and make money with views or otherwise, YouTube is a juggernaut to UGC.
Blog Comments
It's not as common these days, but starting blogs and receiving blog comments was once the OG of user-generated content. You can still see this trend on certain blogs, and especially on blogging sites like Medium. Certain news sites on the internet do this too.
Local Reviews
We've been talking about social media however, reviews of restaurants or attractions. through Google or Yelp provide a great illustration of UGC.
Product Reviews
Similar to local reviews when you read product reviews prior to purchasing something from Amazon or another E-commerce site .
Forums
If you've spent any moments at all on online communities like Reddit or Quora, then you'll realize that there are many people who frequent these areas, creating the content that keeps the platforms running. Reddit is projected to have 53 million users by 2025.
Tips to unlock UGC
1. Make great content
First and foremost, UGC will most likely come from great content. There are tons of tools out there to help to create lots of material. You can technically create endlessly AI text, and then share it.
However, great content is distinctive and sparks conversations. When the content is genuine and authentic, readers are compelled to step up and comment or even create.
2. Create niche spaces
Imagine who has control over algorithms. Hootsuite reports that the average participation rate of a Facebook Page post is 0.07%. What type of UGC can thrive in a social media environment in which it isn't seen? What kind of content creator would want to produce something that nobody is able to see?
It is best to make environments that are not based on algorithms for users to create and share. Email. Online communities. Chat rooms. Apps. Spaces must be created that don't have an algorithm to let you unlock UGC.
3. Memorable social media campaigns
While algorithms are fickle, UGC is still possible with social media campaigns. Choose your platform, and make content that's engaging. Also, you can find innovative ways to engage people. The addition of a competition or prize for contribution can also boost engagement!
4. Reviews
One of the primary types of UGC for brands is reviews, testimonials, as well as other feedback that is positive (negative feedback is also valuable however in a different way.) It is important to obtain UGC for review sites if there is a product you sell, or local reviews if you're using Google is vital as more of us rely on reviews when making purchasing decisions. Also, if you're using testimonials on your site, UGC can be really useful in this regard too.
In the event of obtaining UGC feedback, don't forget to ask. Simple prompts to encourage users to write reviews or rating can make a huge difference to the level of activities.
5. Contribution to Gamify
If you're looking for and require UGC and gamification, the whole process can make a difference. Like Apple's support team is heavily influenced by its users, with lots of volunteers willing to assist users with their questions. They've made it a game by introducing achievement levels as well as a private community for the top contributors. By incorporating rewards and gamification, you could encourage the creation of content.
Conclusion
The conclusion of the day User-generated content can be a huge asset. The top brands around the globe have relied on UGC to catapult to multi-billion-dollar valuations. However, whether it's billions users creating content or a community that shares their thoughts, UGC taps into human creativity in a way which is amazing.
You can now read: 11 Types of Online Communities That Thrive